Arizona weekly citizen., 1887-11-19
oUR FARMING INTEREST.

afFsirs in Arizona, that the farmers have suffered more priyations end made less money than any other class of citizens There are several causes that have led to this condition of sfsirs, some of which we believc may be avoided in the future. InsecGrity from life and prop e.ty from the hostile Apaches and ire ousnt losses ia consequence thereof, have been the greatest drawbacks. Many have lost their lives, aud but few escaped without from year to year losing 8 portion or all of their earnings. The present year open,d with higher prospects than any previous one, with the prospect Ot comparative security; deserted fields were reOccupisd aud new settlements were started; the rains came in plenty and he future prospects for the farmer were never better. It should be the study of every farmer to see how much he can raise on hIs own farm for home consumption, and Low far he can get along without buying There are but few fsrmers who do not purchase nearly all their meat; milk. butter and cheose are very seldom found al A farn house, and even chickens and eggs are not plenty. Ask why they do not k sep cows, and make their own meat, aud iho reply generally is tbst the Indians prevent ii. This has been and Is DOW ID many case a valid excuse for not allowing stock to run at large. but it is for better economy % constant ly feed these animals from tho produce of inc farm than do without them, and purchase meat snd batter at ruInously high prices. IL is not far exchange to sell barley aud corn at two cents and purchase bacon nt tseBty-fve and but ter at fifty cents pound, and yes such are She trades ou- farmers are called upon 30 make. We need n1t tell them that they are getting the wOrst Of the osrgaIn srd that this system of business will never make them prosperous. In this warm climate vegetables can be raised nearly the yesr round, and yet hoxfew of our farmers have their tables supplied with vegetables. We have only space to hint st few of the changes we believe ou, farmers should make, and which if done will soon place chem in sn independent position. If the faruer raises his own living and has a few colts, calves, lambs and pigs growing up each year, be can then af- ford to look with indifference at the price paid for grain; be has 2 home market far moe profitable thsn ths contractor could even furnish him, and be is yearly adding substantial wealth to himself God the territory. Right in Tue oo. with the mild climate and rich soil of the SGata Cruz valley, the markets are half ,he time without vegetables worthy of name and one half that are offered for sale heve been i'm ported from California.
 If our farmers would live well ard thrive and make their homes attractive, they must give more time and care to ;he production ot vegetables and fruits. Grape, oranges, lcmon7, nPricOts, poor pzGchss and ss bad apP!e-, are, in their season, brought here from Sonora, and find ready sale at prices that would soon en1ch any successful producer of I =. Nun r-fl | s5uudaBtly and of excellent quality, none will dispute. Even tue dry table hand upoL which Tucson res:s, will pro- iuee shrubs. flowers, vines, corn etc. wherever planted, cultiva ed, snd prop. -rly Bstered. Certainly the Indian qnesiioG has been a gTess drawback to
 he farmers of OUT territory; but now that this great territorial sore has been healed, snd other sde'ects remedied, there is no legitimate cause of oom- plaiDt on the part of our husbaBdmen. Wi;h a climate and soil like ours, We should, and ere long will, stand forward as one of the greatest agricultural pro- du,ers in the Union.
 IL is SD admitted fact ihst agriculture is the base of vealth cad prosperity in all couutrIes. Tbst bei,g the case, all countries are prosperous CT upprosper- ous, jus; in p-a pot on to the advance nent or depression O; iLei- agricultural interests. These statements. being sd- nittsd fsots, is should be tae study md eiior; ot our former, and Rt this time it R a question tha- sppesls with especial forcs to the people ot AFiLooa. Is Is not
 ne farmer alone that is concerned, it is the merchant, the mechGni-, the labores and every one "bO dts;rss tp 60 bcsi- ne5s in the country. Ruin the faTn+r.
 Hd the debts due the merchant, me chsnIc, and lab1rer must remain unpaid: the goods of the me=cbazt mGst TemHiB on tue s1elyes uusuld; she sound C. ths saw and hammer will be s!l5nt, aud the fields of the farmer will again grow Ip With weeds.